‘In which case it behoves us to make an effort with our appearance, does it not? One cannot appear looking shabby when there is a handsome and wealthy gentleman present.’ She pouted and placed a finger on her lips and Georgiana giggled.
‘You are incorrigible, Kitty, and I am so pleased you have come to live with us. Life is going to be so much more interesting in future.’
Annie had taken the tray next door and Kitty rolled out of bed and snatched up her wrap. ‘I am not a flirt, although I believe I could have been called one a year ago. I shall enjoy wearing my new gowns and dancing whenever I get the opportunity, but I shall not do anything untoward, I promise you.’
‘I am sure that you will not, Fitzwilliam would not have allowed Lizzy to invite you if he had thought that you would misbehave.’
‘Anyway, where Mr King is concerned, I owe him a huge favour, but that is the extent of my interest. I find him quite disagreeable and dictatorial and have absolutely no intention of favouring him with my interest.’ She skipped across the room and danced her friend around in a circle.
Breathless and laughing they fell onto the bed and conversation turned towards more important matters, that of selecting an appropriate ensemble. Her chocolate was forgotten in the excitement of getting ready.
‘We need to be elegant, but not formal and I am unsure what to choose, Georgiana.’
‘I know exactly what we should wear, I have two gowns identical in every way apart from one was made too short for me. It should be a perfect fit for you. Shall we dress alike as we are now sisters?’
At five minutes to the appointed time they were both ready. The gowns were in sprigged muslin, the delicate floral embroidery in pastel shades and the sashes a deep rose silk. Kitty had decided not to have her hair dressed in the same style as Georgiana, that would be taking the jest too far. They stood side by side admiring their reflection in the long glass.
‘I love this gown, thank you so much for giving it to me. My mama placed no restrictions when we were selecting our ensembles and I fear that I used to dress in most unsuitable garments. Lydia took all my old gowns with her when she visited as I no longer intended to wear them.’
She lifted the hem to admire the pink petticoat and then dropped the muslin. ‘Jane paid for my new wardrobe – I suppose I should say that Bingley did as it was his money that paid the bills – and she assisted me with my choices. I am confident I will not look out of place in so grand a home as this.’
‘In future my brother shall pay for your gowns and for your come out in Town. Mind you, if Lizzy is in an interesting condition or has produced an infant, then I am not sure what will happen.’
‘I am in no hurry to find myself a husband, Georgiana, my sisters did not marry until they were in their twenties and no one can say that they did not make splendid matches.’
They strolled arm in arm along the passageway and Kitty was astonished to see there was little evidence of there having been a fire the previous day. The walls had been scrubbed clean of smoke and soot and the panels that had been burned were now covered by dark blue, velvet curtains.
She had expected to be nervous when she crossed the gallery to the Great Stairs, but felt perfectly secure. ‘Did anyone recover my pretty lace cap? When I went to peek behind the curtain it came off and when trying to pick it up I dropped the oil lamp. I don’t remember anything else very clearly after that.’
‘I expect it was incinerated. Was it a particular favourite of yours? I have several, you can borrow any one of those whenever you want to.’ Georgiana halted halfway down the stairs and her expression was serious. ‘Although I sincerely hope you will not wander off in the middle of the night again.’
‘I give you my solemn vow that I shall remain in our apartment until a respectable hour. Later today I want to spend time in the ground floor rooms examining the frescoes on the ceilings and all the splendid carvings and sculptures. Pemberley is like a palace to me after Longbourn.’
‘I am sure that you are exaggerating, you will become accustomed to its luxuries and think of it as home in no time at all. Hurry up, we must not tarry, we are shockingly tardy. There is one thing that Fitzwilliam dislikes above any other, and that is unpunctuality.’
The double doors leading into the breakfast parlour were guarded by two footmen. Kitty hoped they were not intending to announce them – that would be quite ridiculous. Her friend ignored them as if they were wax figures from a museum.
Her stomach lurched unpleasantly as conversation ceased at their appearance in the doorway. Mr Darcy and Mr King were standing together and she was struck by their similarity of build and colouring. Lizzy and Jane were already seated at the central table and Bingley was in the process serving his wife from the dishes that filled the sideboard. She was unused to seeing so much food for breakfast, at Netherfield there was never more than toast and conserves and perhaps a dish of coddled eggs and field mushrooms. Here there was a veritable banquet spread out for them.
‘Good morning, everybody. I apologise for arriving late…’ She had been about to fabricate an excuse but instead she smiled. ‘I have no excuse apart from taking far too long to get ready.’ She curtsied politely and Darcy smiled and Mr King seemed inordinately pleased about something.
‘Lizzy, Jane, please don’t get up. I also apologise for keeping you waiting and also offer no excuse.’
Georgiana steered Kitty to the buffet. ‘We are spoilt for choice this morning, I think I shall be exceedingly greedy and have a slice of ham and a griddled egg and then come back for something else.’
The custom was for the gentlemen to serve the ladies but Kitty decided she would help herself. She had no wish for Mr King to feel obligated to fetch her food. The atmosphere was relaxed and informal and she was pleased to see she and Georgiana were dressed appropriately. Darcy turned to the sideboard and began to select items for his wife, he seemed to know exactly what she would like as he did not ask her opinion on the matter.
Georgiana already had what she wanted which left her and Mr King alone together. She found his proximity unnerving and clumsily dropped a silver serving spoon with an embarrassing clatter. Before she could pick it up one of the footmen had pounced on it and then returned to his sentry duty.
‘Good morning, Miss Bennet, I’m pleased to see you looking so well. I wish to apologise if my—.’
‘There is no need, sir, I wish to forget that yesterday ever happened. As far as I’m concerned everything I told you was a figment of my imagination and there are no such things as ghosts.’
His hand came out as if he was going to touch her, but then fell back to his side. ‘A wise decision, Miss Bennet, but I want you to promise me you will not go into the East Wing under any circumstances.’ His voice was low, his expression sombre. They both knew that something evil and dangerous lurked behind the locked doors.
‘Pemberley is more than big enough to explore without venturing into the abandoned wing. We intend to turn our attention to the attics and see if we can discover any interesting artefacts abandoned up there.’
Satisfied with her response he turned away and began to fill his plate with tasty morsels but strangely her appetite had deserted her and she took no more than a slice of toasted bread and a pat of butter to her place beside Georgiana at the table.
Chapter Nine
There was no time to visit the attics as Lizzy and Jane wanted Kitty and Georgiana’s help to plan the decorations for Christmas. Lists had to be made, ribbons and glass baubles fetched and this filled most of the day.
‘If the weather is clement tomorrow, girls, Fitzwilliam and I have decided we will attend the church in Bakewell. Our chaplain has a severe head cold and we do not wish to drag him out of his bed if at all possible.’
‘Is that where Mr King preaches, Lizzy?’ Kitty asked as she carefully rolled the last of her ribbons and put them in the basket.
‘Yes, that is quite correct. Although it is but a few miles from here, the previous incumbent
passed on all his parish duties to a curate of dubious abilities so most of the parishioners have been going elsewhere to pay their respects to the Almighty.’
Georgiana added the gold ribbons she had been rolling to the basket. ‘My brother told me that the King family own the incumbency so Mr King does not owe his living to anyone. He is an independent gentleman who happens to be a man of the cloth.’
Kitty had no wish to discuss this any further. Just the mention of his name brought back the horror of her experience. He would be forever associated with what happened and she would never be comfortable in his company.
‘Will there be many house guests for the festivities, Lizzy?’ Kitty asked
‘We have invited three families to join us. There will be ten young ladies and gentlemen including you and Georgiana. That will make a grand total of twenty adults here from three days before Christmas Eve until twelfth night.’
‘How exciting,’ Georgiana exclaimed. ‘I don’t believe I can remember a time when we had so many staying. Fitzwilliam does not like to entertain… that is to say, he did not like to entertain, but since you married him, dearest Lizzy, he is a changed man.’
‘You are right, one might almost call him sociable nowadays.’
The gentleman in question strolled in with Bingley at his side. He must have heard Lizzy’s remark but made no comment. ‘What a hive of industry it is in here, my love. Have you quite finished sorting out the garlands? Is it safe for Bingley and I to join you, or shall we be dragooned into helping you?’
Lizzy reached out and took his hand. ‘We have finished, so you may sit down with impunity. I was just telling the girls of our plans for the Christmas period. Are we not to have a party next week as well?’
He perched on the edge of her chair draping his arm along the back of it. ‘I shall have Ingram send out the invitations on Monday. I wish to introduce you to my neighbours.’ He looked across at Kitty. ‘I have booked a trio of musicians so neither you nor Georgiana will have to play for us.’
‘Good heavens! Are we to have dancing as well as dinner? How exciting, I do hope you will feel up to it, Bingley. I know how you and Jane love to dance together.’
‘I am already feeling fine, apart from a slight headache. I am having my sutures removed next week, and
Darcy has kindly postponed the party until after that. Thursday will be a bang-up do and I have every intention of dancing with my darling wife as often as she will permit me.’
‘We have not danced together since the ball at Netherfield, Charles, and that is more than two years ago. No doubt you have partnered other young ladies, but not me.’
‘That is not strictly true, Jane my love, we have stood up together at least three times since then.’ The candlelight gleamed on his hair making it seem like a golden halo. ‘However, I will agree that we have not danced at a ball or formal occasion since then.’
Something prompted Kitty to mention the infamous assembly at Meryton where they had all first met. ‘I recall the first time you danced. Do you remember the occasion Mr Darcy?’
For a second he looked nonplussed and then he chuckled. ‘I do indeed, Kitty: you and Lydia behaved quite disgracefully by chasing after officers all evening. Bingley monopolised Jane and I was insufferably proud and inexcusably rude to my darling Lizzy.’
The company parted in good cheer and Kitty was thrilled to be included in this happy family. She and Georgiana returned to their apartment to change for dinner and discuss their plans for the morrow.
*
Lizzy ascended the staircase with her husband’s arm around her shoulders. They had just reached the gallery when unaccountably she shivered and a wave of dizziness and nausea made her knees buckle. As she was slowly collapsing to the boards he instantly reacted and was able to keep her upright.
‘Are you unwell, Lizzy? I shall carry you to our chambers and send for Doctor Bevan at once.’ Keeping one arm around her shoulders he slipped the other beneath her knees and she was hoisted into the air.
Strangely the further she got from the gallery the better she felt. ‘I am feeling fine now, my dear, you may put me down. I have no wish to be transported about the place like a parcel.’
He ignored her request and shouldered his way into their bedchamber, marching past two startled maids to deposit her gently in the centre of the bed. ‘You certainly do look less pale than you were a few moments ago, perhaps fetching the doctor is a little premature.’
The girls had disappeared knowing without being instructed they were unwelcome when their master and mistress were together in their bedchamber. Lizzy sat up and smiled shyly at her beloved. ‘Actually, darling, I believe I have an explanation for my fit of the vapours. I think it could be possible I am increasing. I had not intended to mention it just yet, as I cannot be certain, but I have missed two monthly cycles and dizziness and nausea are not uncommon when a woman is in this condition.’
This was not a fabrication, but neither was it the reason she had felt unwell. What she had just experienced was quite different from the morning sickness, but she was not going to tell Fitzwilliam that. There had been quite enough unexplained goings-on at Pemberley recently. There was definitely something amiss on the gallery and she for one, was going to make quite sure she never walked there in the dark, or on her own.
‘We are having a baby? I cannot believe you are pregnant so soon, we have only been married three months.’
‘If I correctly understand the mechanics of the process, my dear, it can take less than a minute to conceive a child. I think we can safely say we have been enjoying the married state as often as possible.’
His eyes darkened and he reached for her, then seeing her hesitation, he smiled and kissed her tenderly. ‘I think you should rest for an hour before you change for dinner. I shall return downstairs or there will be little rest for either of us.’
‘I expect Bingley would enjoy a game of billiards. I cannot tell you how happy I am to have Jane and Kitty here with me. My younger sister has changed so much I scarcely know her. Jane was not exaggerating when she sung her praises, I can see a difference in Georgiana already, cannot you?’
He nodded. ‘Apart from the fact that she seems to attract disaster to her like a magnet, I find her a delightful young lady. Spirited and intelligent, exactly what my sister needs to bring her out of her shell.’ He paused at the door. ‘Are you sure you will be all right?’
‘Absolutely certain. Fitzwilliam, we must not announce our news until after the New Year. By then I will be far enough along to be certain I am in an interesting condition. I have no wish to be treated like a delicate flower, and that goes for you too, my darling. I am as healthy as a horse, I am sure I can bear any number of children without risk to the infant or myself.’
‘I fear that in ten years’ time this place will be overrun with children and you quite exhausted by bearing them.’
At first she thought him to be making a jest but then she saw the worry in his eyes. ‘I believe there is a way to interfere with nature that does not involve you sleeping in a separate bedchamber. I have no intention of having a child every year; in fact I have no wish to have more than three or four children altogether.’
‘So few, my love? And here was I anticipating a regiment of little ones. I shall be happy, as always, with whatever the good Lord provides.’
Her snort of laughter was echoed by his chuckle. He raised his hand in farewell and wandered off to find his friend. Lizzy settled back into the pillows and closed her eyes, her lips curved as she considered just how lucky she was in her choice of partner. Not only was Fitzwilliam intelligent, witty and kind he was also the most handsome man she had ever set eyes on. The fact that he was also the wealthiest was an added bonus, but not an essential part of his attraction.
He was everything a husband should be and she thanked God every day that somehow they had found each other despite the interference of Miss Bingley who had done her best to keep them apart. Neither Caroline Bingl
ey nor her married sister had been invited to Pemberley. No doubt when Bingley found a suitable property in Derbyshire they would be obliged to see his unpleasant sisters occasionally, but she would not worry about it until then.
Her mind drifted back to the strange feeling she had experienced when walking through the gallery earlier. Had Kitty, in fact, been frightened by something similar and this was why she had dropped her lamp and caused the fire?
She would go at once and ask her sisters. If there was something strange going on then Lizzy had every intention of discovering what it was and setting matters right. She jumped up from the bed but her head swam and her stomach lurched. She flopped down again annoyed at her physical weakness. Perhaps she would leave her investigation until she felt more the thing; she had no wish to collapse in an ignominious heap in the corridor.
*
‘I’m not sure that I am content with this evening gown, Georgiana,’ Kitty said as she held out the insipid pink silk skirt for inspection. ‘However, as I am no longer the flighty young miss whose only interests lie in fashion and officers, I shall wear it without further complaint.’
Her friend patted her arm. ‘You look delightful, as always, but I do think it could do with a brighter sash. I believe I have a long length of scarlet ribbon somewhere.’ She smiled at her maid who curtsied and vanished into the dressing room to return triumphantly a few moments later and handed the ribbon to Annie.
‘Annie, do you think threading some through my hair as well would be acceptable?’
Her dresser smiled and curtsied. ‘I shall do so at once, miss, it will look ever so jolly.’
When the changes had been made Kitty was satisfied. ‘Thank you. All I need is to push a piece of holly into my bodice and I shall look positively festive.’
Her friend was wearing a pale yellow satin gown with pretty embroidery around the hem and neckline and looked, as always, quite lovely. Together they made their way downstairs, and when she quickened her pace Georgiana did not complain. They almost ran through the gallery and down the stairs, not slowing to a more decorous pace until they were halfway down.
The Ghosts at Pemberley Page 8